Spotlight

The Golf Club at Harbor Shores - No. 15

Five sweet golf options near the southwestern shores of Michigan

When you think of golf in Michigan, the resort courses of northern Michigan usually come to mind. There are, however, some quality options in southwestern Michigan that are not only more accessible to Michiganders, but also more affordable and varied. Mike Bailey offers five must-play recommendations for anyone considering a golf trip to southwestern Michigan.
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The Inn at Bay Harbor

Just relax and enjoy The Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club along 'America's Third Coast'

Looking to get away from it all? Look no further than The Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club. The Inn at Bay Harbor feels like olden days America with modern amenities, while the 27 golf holes designed by Arthur Hills (especially the Links/Quarry combination) are reminiscent of formidable Irish seaside courses, David R. Holland writes.
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Boyne Highlands resort

Golfers and skiers alike will love multi-faceted Boyne Highlands resort in Harbor Springs

At times, a visit to a ski/golf resort such as Boyne Highlands resort is a downer for serious golfers -- but not here in northern Michigan. With Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s Heather Course, the Arthur Hills Course and the Donald Ross Memorial Course, there's plenty to keep the golfer happy. Add to that great skiing, a Main Lodge with 165 rooms of varying sizes and shapes, an arcade with ping pong and pool tables, bike rentals, canoeing and cross-country ski trails, Boyne Highlands offers something for the whole family.
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Michigan Golf Destinations

  • Southeast Michigan

    The majority of Michigan's population and golf courses are based in and around metro Detroit in the state's southeast corner. They love their sports in Detroit, and they especially enjoy golf in the Motor City. While there are plenty of exclusive clubs for the auto industry elite, a smattering of daily-fee courses make the game affordable and accessible for everyone.

    The 18-hole Metamora Golf & Country Club in Metamora, MI is a private golf course that opened in 1991. Metamora Golf & Country Club measures 6984 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 136 and a 73.4 USGA rating. The course features 4 sets of tees for different skill levels.
    Sprawling across a majestic landscape covered with spring-fed ponds and mature oaks, Jackal Golf Club at Mt. Brighton offers a challenging round as well as stunning scenery. The golf course shares the grounds with a ski resort, guaranteeing a variety of dramatic elevation changes throughout.
    Dunham Hills Golf Club is situated amidst rolling hills and mature trees. The course is a demanding, but fun test of your skills. The topography presents challenging elevation changes throughout the course but accurate shots will be rewarded with level lies.
  • Southwest Michigan

    Along Lake Michigan's coastline in the southwest corner of the state, a succession of small beach towns provide a quick escape from the city life of Detroit and Chicago. Value golf courses are a constant theme in Michigan, and the southwest corner is no exception.

    St. Ives Golf Club has received a five-star rating from Golf Digest -- and with good reason. The Jerry Matthews design, which opened in 1995, offers great course conditions amid a beautiful backdrop. Elevation changes that range from 40-80 feet offer up great views of the surrounding area.
    Gull Lake View East is the second of the five courses at the club. Opened in 1973, the golf course has a classic design that has a longstanding reputation of being one of Michigan's finest layouts. Charles Scott, who designed several courses in the area including most of Gull Lake's, designed the course. He carefully incorporated the natural terrain, utilizing the elevation changes and natural water features.
    Situated in the beautiful lake region of southwest Michigan, Gull Lake View Golf Club offers five scenic championship courses. The quality and variety offered by the courses and their convenient location less than three hours from Detroit, Toledo, and Chicago, have made Gull Lake a favorite destination for golfers from all over the Midwest, Great Lakes, and even parts of Canada.
  • Northwest Michigan

    The most coveted vacation spot in Michigan is the northwest coast, where you'll find many of the state's highest-ranked resort golf courses as well as charming lakes and bayside towns. Much of the state's most spectacular coastline can be found in the northwest, making it an ideal summer haven for boaters and those seeking natural, freshwater beaches.

    Hawk's Eye Golf Club in Bellaire is one of the top 15 public courses in the state of Michigan. The championship course is the centerpiece of a tucked away golf community in the northern part of the state.
    Since opening in 1994, Loon Golf Club has become one of the most popular golf courses in the Gaylord area. The Loon Course features fast, undulating greens and narrow fairways surrounded by numerous strategically placed bunkers.
    Marsh Ridge G.C. sprawls across rolling hills and acres of carefully preserved marshlands. The towering trees and dramatic elevation changes distinguish the golf course as one of the area's best and most scenic.
  • Northeast Michigan

    While Michigan's northwest may be the more nationally known vacation region, the northeast part of the state boasts a collection of small towns and natural wonders worth exploring, too, including one of the Midwest's top golf destinations, Gaylord.

    Built in 1939, the Classic Course, as its name would imply, has a traditional layout that is straightforward with no hidden tricks or hazards. The golf course sprawls across scenic parkland that overlooks the nearby Sturgeon River Valley.
    Marsh Ridge G.C. sprawls across rolling hills and acres of carefully preserved marshlands. The towering trees and dramatic elevation changes distinguish the golf course as one of the area's best and most scenic.
    Since opening in 1994, Loon Golf Club has become one of the most popular golf courses in the Gaylord area. The Loon Course features fast, undulating greens and narrow fairways surrounded by numerous strategically placed bunkers.
  • Upper Peninsula

    Wilderness is the big attraction in the Upper Peninsula. Hunting, fishing, hiking and boating are favorite pastimes of all "Yoopers." The summer golf season may be cruelly short, usually just June through September, but there are some real standout golf courses for those who make the trek.

    The 18-hole George Young Recreation in Gaastra, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1984. Designed by George Young, George Young Recreation measures 7041 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 130 and a 74.3 USGA rating. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.